HELP with Rat Feeding To My Ball Python

I have a male Ball Python that is about a 26 months old and around 3 feet long. He has been eating 2-3 live adult mice every 7-12 days for the last five months. Now he seems to be eating his normal amount and still acting hungry. Also the mice just dont seem to be efficient size for him anymore. I have tried feeding him a small live rat after 2-3 weeks after his last eating but he is not very successful. He still acts interested in the rat but when he strikes at it, he does not keep ahold of it. After striking the rat a few times he just gives up and refuses to eat. What do I have to do to get my snake to eat a small live rat successfully? I have tried feeding him a small rat for three months now and have not been successful yet. And the rats are starting to get a little expensive to throw away.

Any Suggestions??
Thanks

How small a rat are you feeding? You may want to start with weanlings or pups

Not sure inch size. I just tried small rats not a pup

Have you tried feeding normal mouse first......then take the rat and scent it with the mice and follow the first mouse up with the rat??????

I am new to the ball world but I think most would say find a prey item that is the appropriate size to avoid the work of 3 prey items at a time?

Anyways.....I think when switching mice to rat scenting the rat a bit and adding it in the mix may work....good luck:)

Your ball python is striking at the rat out of fear. He is trying to bite the rat so it will go away. He does not feel comfortable with this prey item. I suggest feeding him a smaller rat; for example, a rat pup. He will eventually take a small rat, but you may need to work him up to that size.

Good luck.

You could try a frozen rat. They are a lot cheaper. Or, prekilling the rat prior to feeding. It sounds terrible to kill it, but it might reduce the stress on your snake if the rat is already dead.